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↑Sir Humphrey Davy

Discovered By: Sir Humphrey Davy
Discovered At: England
Discovered When: 1808

Origin of Name: From a latin name "Calx" meaning Lime

  • He made Calcium compounds to pure Calcium by electrolysis. He electrolysised a mixture of lime and mercuric oxide (HgO).


  • Calcium metal wasn't separated to a pure substance until 1808.
  • Compounds like lime (CaO & calcium oxide) were named by the Romans in the first century Calx.
  • Written records from 975 AD says that plaster of paris (calcium sulphate, CaSO4, dehydrated gypsum) is useful for settling broken bones.
  • He did this by the electrolysis of a mixture of lime and mercuric oxide (HgO). Calcium metal was not available in large scale until the beginning of the 20th century.
  • Calcium as a metal wasn't availiable in large amounts until the begining of the 20th century.